Utility carrier

ABSTRACT

A utility carrier adapted for releaseable securement to a backpack, comprised of a front face having one or more pockets, a back face; and a means for releaseably securing the carrier to the backpack.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/127,844, filed May 16, 2008, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Backpacks have become very common items used to store and transport personal articles. They have become particularly common in schools. Nearly every school age child carries a backpack to store and transport books, school supplies, and personal items.

While backpacks work well for these purposes, there are certain drawbacks. In particular, it can be difficult to segregate items inside the backpack. Also, storing dirty, damp, or wet articles along with books and school supplies causes problems.

This is especially a problem in northern climates, or in wet climates, where school children often wear rain or snow gear to school, such as snow pants, boots, raincoats or jackets, hats, umbrellas, and the like. Once the children arrive at school, or at home, the wet and/or dirty articles are removed and must be stored. Often the children have nowhere to put the articles except in their backpacks. The backpack then becomes dirty and wet, which makes it difficult to store other items that need to remain clean and dry.

Furthermore, the backpack must be used during the school day as items are removed and returned to the pack. This further complicates the issue of what to do with dirty and wet articles of clothing. It is impractical to simply place them in the backpack along with the other articles, which need to be removed periodically.

Backpacks often have compartments for storage of articles to allow for segregation of articles, and in some cases the compartments are detachable; however, this does not fully address the problem. The compartments still become dirty and wet, and therefore need regular cleaning, and backpacks are generally constructed of material that is waterproof to keep the interior dry, which prevents the backpack from drying out when it becomes wet.

Similar problems occur at the beach. Backpacks are frequently used to carrier various articles to the beach, including, towels, clothing, food, beverages, and the like; however, when articles such as clothing become wet and covered with sand it is not desirable to simply place them back into the backpack with clean dry articles.

Accordingly, a need exists for a device that can store and transport dirty, wet, and damp articles in connection with a backpack that reduces or eliminates the problems of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a composite drawing of various views of a utility carrier.

FIG. 2 is a view of a front face of a first alternative utility carrier.

FIG. 3 is a view of a back face of the first alternative utility carrier.

FIG. 4 is a view of the upper front face of the first alternative carrier.

FIG. 5 is a view of a back face of a second alternative carrier.

FIG. 6 is a view of front face of the second alternative carrier.

FIG. 7 is a view of the left of the second alternative carrier.

FIG. 8 is a partial view of the right side of the second alternative carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the Figures, a utility carrier 10 is shown. FIG. 1 is a composite rendering of various view of the carrier 10. The carrier 10 comprises on its front face an upper pocket 12 and a lower pocket 14. The pockets 12, 14 are open on the top and flexible to allow for overstuffing. The pockets include a draw string pull 16 that allows for tightening the pockets at the open end.

The back face of the carrier 10 is generally flat and includes at its upper end a handle 18 and two Velcro type straps 20. The handle 18 is U-shaped and is adapted for independent carrying of the carrier 10. The straps 20 are designed to allow the carrier 10 to attach to a conventional backpack (not shown). The straps 20 when unfolded can loop around, for example, the tops of the shoulder harness of a backpack or a handle loop, which will secure the carrier over the outside face of the backpack. The straps 20 can be attached to any other feature of the backpack, such as loops, straps, or hooks, and the straps can releasably secure with snaps, hooks, buttons, or other similar devices.

FIGS. 2-4 show a first alternative embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows the front face of the carrier 10, which includes an upper and lower pocket 12, 14. The pockets 12, 14 are constructed of a mesh type material which allows for draining, easy cleaning, and quick drying. The pockets 12, 14 are over sized and the material is somewhat flexible to allow for overstuffing. The pockets 12, 14 are open on the top and have drawstrings 16 and pulls to fasten the pockets and secure the contents therein.

FIG. 3 shows the back face of the carrier 10. The back includes adjustable shoulder harness straps 22 to allow the carrier 10 to be used as a stand alone pack, and includes a handle 18, and comprises straps which include Velcro fasteners to allow for releasable securement of the carrier 10 to a backpack.

FIG. 4 shows a close in view of the upper front face of the carrier 10 wherein the straps 20 are more easily viewed. The straps 20, one is folded the other extended, can wrap around the shoulder harness, handle loop, or other feature of a backpack and secure the carrier 10 to the outward facing portion of the backpack. The handle 18 allows for convenient carrying of the carrier 10, and can be used to hang the carrier 10 from a hook for storage.

FIGS. 5-8 show a second alternative embodiment of the carrier 10. FIG. 5 shows a back face of the carrier 10, which includes shoulder straps 22 for carrying the carrier 10 apart or separate from a backpack. The back face also has a space for a nametag 24 to be attached, or written onto the back surface of the carrier 10. The carrier 10 also includes a handle 18.

FIG. 6 shows the front face of the carrier 10. The front face includes lower and upper pockets 12, 14 and drawstrings 16 for securing/enclosing the pockets 12, 14. The carrier 10, as shown in FIG. 6, also includes straps 20 for securing to a backpack that are incorporated into the top of the shoulder straps 22. The straps 20 use Velcro type pads to form a releasable loop that can secure to any convenient feature of the backpack, such as, a strap, loop, hook, or the like. As in the other embodiments, the pockets 12, 14 are mesh, but other fabrics/styles are within the scope of the invention. Upper and lower spaces are provided for a logo as well.

FIG. 7 shows a left side view of the carrier 10, which shows that the carrier 10 is configured with an internal pocket accessible through zipper 26. The zipper 26 extends from the left side across the top of the carrier 10 and down at least a portion of the right side of the carrier 10. The internal pocket can be a full or partial pocket, wherein the internal pocket may extend the entire length of the carrier or just a portion thereof. Furthermore, the side of the carrier 10 includes a mesh side pocket 28.

FIG. 8 shows a partial right side view of the carrier 10, and further comprises a pocket 30 what can be sized, for example, for a cell phone or similar device.

In this manner the present invention substantially overcomes the limitations of the prior art. The carrier 10 can be used to store and transport articles that would not be convenient to place in a backpack. In particular, wet, dirty, and damp items such as winter clothing, rain gear, snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, raincoats, jackets, and the like. The items can be segregated from clothing, books, and school supplies that would be damaged if they became wet or dirty. Furthermore, the carrier 10 can be attached to a backpack for transportation together, or carried separately by the handle or shoulder harness. Also, the carrier 10 can either be stored on the floor or hung from a hook.

In the school application, the children can transport a backpack and the carrier 10 together, either while they are wearing the clothing to be stored in the carrier 10 or the carrier 10 can be used to carry the clothing. When the children arrive at school or home, the carrier 10 can be removed from the backpack and separately stored, or cleaned and hung up to dry. Also, clothing articles can be placed on the carrier for storage during school, or at night.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods, and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A utility carrier adapted for releaseable securement to a backpack, comprising: a front face having one of more pockets; a back face; and a means for releaseably securing the carrier to the backpack.
 2. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a handle located at the top of the carrier for carrying the carrier
 3. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said means for releaseably securing the carrier to the backpack comprises at least one strap for releasable securement to the backpack.
 4. The carrier of claim 3 further comprising two straps for releasable securement to the backpack.
 5. The carrier of claim 3 wherein said strap has a Velcro type pad for releasable securement.
 6. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising shoulder straps secured to said back face.
 7. The carrier of claim 6 wherein said means for releaseably securing the carrier to the backpack comprises is secured to said shoulder straps.
 8. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier further comprises pockets located on said front face.
 9. The carrier of claim 8 wherein said carrier further comprises an upper and a lower pocket located on said front face.
 10. The carrier of claim 9 wherein said pockets comprise drawstrings for opening and closing said pockets.
 11. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier includes an internal pocket.
 12. The carrier of claim 11 wherein said internal pocket is accessed by opening a zipper.
 13. The carrier of claim 1 further comprises a left and right side, wherein pockets are located on at least one of said sides.
 14. The carrier of claim 13 wherein pockets are located on each of said sides.
 15. A utility carrier adapted for releasable securement to a backpack, comprising: a front face having one or more pockets; a back face; and a strap for releaseably securing the carrier to the backpack.
 16. A utility carrier adapted for releasable securement to a backpack, comprising: a front face having upper and lower pockets that are opened and closed with a drawstring; a back face having shoulder straps; a left side with a side pocket; a right side with a side pocket; a first and second strap for releaseably securing the carrier to the backpack, wherein said straps are integral with said shoulder straps; and an internal pocket accessed with a zipper. 